Modelling of ERS-2 radar backscattering over rocky arid regions

Abstract

This paper discusses the potential of radar signals to characterize stone cover over bare soil surfaces in arid rocky regions. Ground truth and radar measurements were made over two arid sites: Avdat (Israel) and Foumtillich (Morocco). An empirical approach is proposed to derive stone cover percentage from pin profiler measurements. A numerical Moment method based on integral equations of backscattering has been used to study the influence of stone cover on simulated radar signal. The results of the simulations are compared with European Remote Sensing Satellite (ERS-2) radar measurements over test areas with different stone covers. Excellent agreement is observed between numerical simulations and radar measurements. An empirical model is then proposed to invert radar measurements and retrieve the stone cover percentage. Finally, this parameter is mapped over the Avdat site.